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Student Retention Initiatives Hosts First-Generation, Transfer Student Welcome

The office of Student Retention Initiatives hosted a student success welcome event Aug. 24 filled with food, fun, and great activities for first-generation freshmen and transfer students. 鈥淕rowing up my parents never got their education so they always wanted the best for me, so I went for my education and followed in my sister鈥檚 footsteps,鈥� said Oreana Roman, a first-generation freshman. Student success coaches and student support specialists engage with students one-on-one to help them develop skills for success throughout the semester, navigate 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and maintain a healthy balance between school and life. The initiative helps students get connected to resources on campus and match them with peer mentors to 鈥渉elp answer questions, guide them, and be a student leader,鈥� said Laura Casey, student success coach. 鈥淚 know how hard it was for me to be a first-gen,鈥� said Maria Roman, peer mentor of five. 鈥淚 hope this event will draw more people to the program.鈥� The event featured numerous programs such as the Multicultural Center, the Disability Resource Center, Student Support Services, etc. 鈥淚 saw a lot of organizations like TRIO that I didn’t know about, and learned about some different events that I wouldn’t have known about if I didn’t come here,鈥� said Hayden Henderson, a first-generation freshman. Student Support Services is a federally-funded program located in Suite 105 of the Speech building that provides online and in-person tutoring, academic advising, workshops for financial and economic literacy, scholarships, textbook loans, graduate school trips, and career readiness. 鈥淲e focus on career readiness and enrichment workshops,鈥� said Desarae Nelson, TRIO SSS Director. 鈥淲e offer academic advising in resume writing, mock interviews, internships, and help with employment after graduation.鈥� Experienced staff and upper-class students advised that students don鈥檛 hesitate to ask questions about anything hindering academic success. Any undergraduate student who identifies as a first-generation college student, taking at least one class at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, can Request a Peer Mentor through the end of September. 鈥淲e work with students and faculty to make sure that the learning environment is as accessible as possible,鈥� said Reed Claiborne, director of the Disability Resource Center. 鈥淕et to know all the departments on campus, find a department that will help you find resources all over campus, and聽 get involved.鈥�